Making Improvements

 

Making Improvements

         Perfecting your craft is an ongoing and never-ending process. It involves self-reflecting on your current practices, examining the good and bad, and making a productive plan to improve your craft. Researchers Kross et al. (2023) recently studied the importance of self-reflection and why it matters. One of the conclusions they found is, "our ability to turn our attention inward to reflect on our circumstances allows us to learn from our mistakes, make sense of our experiences, plan, and engage in a host of other mental processes that contribute handedly to our ability to regulate our emotions, innovate, problem-solve, and create" (para. 2). Self-reflection is crucial for any professional if they want to improve their craft.

Improvements in Education

As an educator, it is particuluarly important for me to self-reflect to improve my teaching skills because I teach 550 students. By improving my craft I can positively impact 550 students, which is both encouraging and a heavy load to carry. As I consistently am self-reflecting to improve my practice, I have to remember to not only look at what did not go the way I wanted and be intention to find ways that I was successful in my teaching. Kross et al. (2023) describe the dangers of only looking at the negative when they conclude, "when people focus on negative experiences, self-reflection often backfires, leading them to get stuck in negative thought loops (i.e., worry and rumination), which undermine decision making, performance, health, and relationships" (para. 2).

My Improvements

Recently, I began integrating the Modern Classroom Project into my S.T.E.A.M. classroom. The Modern Classroom Project is a teaching platform in which teachers build units of learning that students can go through at their own pace. This self-paced learning platform hinges on the use of technology for instructional videos, mastery checks, and content practice. I have loved integrating a new and innovative teaching platform, but as I learn how to best use it I have to ensure I am self-reflecting to determine how to change my practices to best meet my students needs.

Why Change?

As someone who desires to be a leader in educational technology, I want to push myself to be the best I can be with innovative technologies within the classroom. One expectation set by the CoSN Framework for Essential Technology Leadership Skills is for leaders to "promote and lead the implementation of industry best practice methodologies, tools, and programs (e.g., TCO, ITIL, SDLC, Baldrige) in support of technology" (2D). I have been thankful to be able to be one of the first teachers in the district to explore Modern Classroom. This opportunity has allowed me to invite educators from around the district and state to observe the use of Modern Classroom Project-- allowing me to promote and lead the implementation of best practices in support of technology.  Not only have I gotten to be a leader in this regard, but it has also connected me with other educators who are integrating this practice into their own too!

Collaboration

        Collaboration within the exploration of emerging technologies is important and helpful. Jones and Kennedy (2022) state "collaboration and mentoring are important for maximizing learning in school settings" (p. 126). Through the use of self-reflection and collaboration educators can continuously improve their craft.

Looking for more ways to improve your craft? Read these 10 tips!

References:

Jones, L., & Kennedy, E. (2022). Effective technology tools for school leadership: Understanding Digital and Data-Driven Strategies. Taylor & Francis.

Kross, E., Ong, M., & Ayduk, O. (2023). Self-Reflection at work: why it matters and how to harness its potential and avoid its pitfalls. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 10(1), 441–464. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-031921-024406

Getting Teachers On Board

Changes in Education

     Education is constantly changing. Educators are continuously learning more and new information which changes the way they are teaching. If you walked through an elementary school 30 years ago you would most likely see behavior clip charts in every classroom, very little use of technology, and students sitting at desks. Now you will most likely see no public behavior management system, 1:1 devices for students, and students sitting around the room using flexible seating. The expectations and curricula have also changed throughout the years. With so much change, teachers can become bogged down with the ever-changing systems and become uninterested in learning new information. It is important for school leaders to keep their faculty and staff engaged in learning new strategies to benefit their students. Let's discuss a few of the ways leaders can promote ongoing learning and a willingness to try new things with their faculty and staff. 

Encouraging Change

     "In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the role of school leaders has become increasingly crucial in shaping the quality and effectiveness of learning environments" (Buffone, 2021 as cited by Andrin et al., 2023). Leaders have a huge responsibility to lead their faculty and staff towards changes which benefit all students. In a recent research study, researchers researched what leaders in education can do to promote and cultivate a culture of leadership. This promotion and cultivation of leadership within faculty and staff leads to the willingness to try new ideas. Through their research, Andrin et al. (2023) found that, "the prevalence of transformational leadership underscores the transformative impact of leaders who inspire shared visions, foster innovation, and cultivate positive school cultures" (p. 2). This conclusion is helpful for me as I work together with a leadership team to encourage and promote the use of a new teaching platform.

Promoting New Strategies

        I had the privilege of collaborating with other school leaders to create a plan to roll out to teachers within our school that encourages them to try a new teaching platform called The Modern Classroom Project. The leadership team has been brainstorming ways to promote teacher engagement with this new teaching platform. This platform allows teachers to prerecord lessons that are then pushed out to students. This gives students the ability to move through the lessons at their own pace. Not only is this beneficial for students, but this teaching platform is helpful for school leaders too. School leaders can watch teacher videos to monitor classroom instruction. According to Jones and Kennedy (2022), "one of the more critical roles of the school principal is to ensure that effective instruction occurs in classrooms" (p. 115). Additionally, these instructional videos are great to refer to and watch with the teacher when having post-observation conferences. These post-observation conferences are, "an important time for the school leader to provide constructive feedback" (Jones and Kennedy, 2022, p. 118).

Why It Matters

        I aspire to be a leader in technology innovation within education. I am working towards this in many ways, but one of them is through the leadership opportunity concerning Modern Classroom Project at our school. One of the standards based on the CoSN Framework for Essential Technology Leadership Skills states leaders should, "actively participate with members of the organization's leadership team to create a vision for how technology will support the district’s strategic and operational goals". I am accomplishing this goal through the collaborative leadership planning team. Together, we create a plan for teachers to use Modern Classroom Project, which is a technology-driven instructional teaching platform. This supports our district's strategic and operational goals by encouraging our teachers to engage in the best practices with emerging technologies and innovations.

Embracing Change

 

References

Andrin, G. R., Groenewald, E. S., Unabia, R. P., Cordova Jr., N. A., & Nacario, K. M. B. (2023). Beyond management: Cultivating leadership in educational institutions [Journal-article]. VOLUME 1, ISSUE NO. 6. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Elma-Groenewald-2/publication/376643315_Beyond_Management_Cultivating_Leadership_in_Educational_Institutions/links/65d56a2badf2362b6344d57e/Beyond-Management-Cultivating-Leadership-in-Educational-Institutions.pdf

Frazier, M., & Hearrington, D. (2024a). Technology Coordinator’s Handbook, Fourth Edition: A Guide for Edtech Facilitators and Leaders.  

 The Art of Conflict

People Pleasing

    According to an online poll posted in 2022, "about half (47%) of American adults believe that other people in their life would definitely or probably describe them as a people-pleaser. Among women, 51% believe others see them this way, and 42% of men say the same" (Ballard, 2022). With at least half of the population in the United States stating they are 'people pleasers,' that can lead to people avoiding conflict and instead being a friend, co-worker, or employee that always says "yes." Although there is value in being a person who is willing to say "yes", there is equal value in knowing when to say "no". Too often, people are afraid that saying no will create conflict, so it is avoided, but saying no can actually be helpful at times. Researchers studied conflict within the workplace and concluded that, "conflict can, in fact, be positive if it is managed properly. Conflict can promote team-building skills, critical thinking, new ideas, and alternative resolutions. Conflict management is a crucial competency that leaders must possess, for the success of the team, group, unit, or employees they lead" (Ronquillo et al., 2023). Avoiding conflict is inevitable, so we should stop shying away from saying "no" and instead address conflict with a good approach.

A Team Approach

    One way to build rapport with co-workers is to include them in initial decision-making. Frazier and Hearrington (2024) emphasize the importance of this when discussing the particular role of a technology coordinator. They say, "it is important for the technology coordinator to communicate with district and building administration, curriculum committees, and other constituencies to identify perceived technology needs and wants throughout the district" (p. 185). Through the formation of these teams, people will feel connected to their co-workers, therefore allowing them to feel comfortable to express their "no" when needed. This also is a great conflict prevention strategy because it will enable the team to be unified from the beginning. Starting as a unified team allows the team to work towards the same unified goal, which is essential to success.

Conflict Resolution Skills

    Along with having a team approach, learning particular skills to increase conflict resolution is always helpful. These skills can be developed through intentional work. The skills below are some of the key skills needed for successful conflict resolution within the work place. 

The Art of Saying No

    If you are anything like me, saying no can still be scary at times- even when it is appropriate and needed. Kenny Nguyen discusses the reasons why saying no is crucial for not only your success but also the success of everyone around you. He emphasizes the importance of saying no to be able to prepare you to say "yes" to the right thing. Watch his Ted Talk below to learn more about the art of saying no. 

References

FBallard, J. (2022, August 22). Women are more likely than men to say they’re a people-pleaser, and many dislike being seen as one. YouGov. https://today.yougov.com/society/articles/43498-women-more-likely-men-people-pleasing-poll
 
Frazier, M., & Hearrington, D. (2024a). Technology Coordinator’s Handbook, Fourth Edition: A Guide for Edtech Facilitators and Leaders.
 
Ronquillo, Y., Ellis, V. L., & Toney-Butler, T. J. (2023, July 3). Conflict management. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470432/